Old-school Magnum: S&W's Model 27

M

Marko Kloos

Inactive
Here's one for all you fans of glossy blue steel and walnut...a Model 27 with a five-inch barrel.

Like I mentioned in another thread...the more I look at this revolver, the more I think that the old S&W N-frame flagship guns are the apex in revolver design and manufacture. They won't ever make 'em like this again...even if the EPA somehow let S&W blue their guns like in the olden days, the hand-fitting and detail work on this Model 27 would make it a $1500 gun these days. Even the Performance Center doesn't crank out work like this anymore.

The five-inch barrel may just be my favorite barrel length after the 3", and it looks just right on an N-frame. What a great barrel length! Easier to tote and hide than a 6" tube, more steam and better balance than a 4"....it may just be the ideal barrel length for a "do-everything" kind of .357.

Trigger is outstanding and needs no work whatsoever...silky smooth and clean breaking.

m27_6x4.jpg
 
Classic revolvers to be sure, they don't make them like that anymore, much to my sadness. I have a model 27, pinned and recessed, in mint condition, and along with my Pythons, it just doesn't get any better.
 
Got a pre War non registered one in the back right now to be fixed after its owner dropped it on concrete:barf: :barf:

WildlosingitAlaska
 
not trying to jack the post but what is a Registered Magnum? I keep hearing the term and im guessing it is when they started the SAMMI rating for the round?? Thanks guys , and BEAUTIFUL SMITHS guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Back in 1935 when the 357 Magnum was brought into existence, the gun to fire one was a custom order job. Basically you could change just about any aspect of the gun and S&W would make it for you. So what you did was fill out an order form and send in your $60 to get yours made. After as much as a year wait your gun would show up with a post card. You filled out the post card and sent it back and you would get a Registration Certificate that listed your order and was signed by Wesson for the Factory. Each gun is stamped with a Registration number like this:

registration_number.jpg


Mine is REG-53XX putting toward the end of the registration program. The assembly number (43348) is below that is stamped on the frame and crane. All of my gun's parts are serial numbered together (even the rear sight) and it is exceptionally well made.

There were around 6000 total Registered Magnum and Registered Models made. The exact number is currently in flux because some Registered Models were N frames stamped with a Registration number but the paperwork does not exist to prove they are truly Custom ordered guns.

While certainly not the rarest S&W's ever made, they are very desireable and given the time frame (1935 to 1939) they were quite expensive and not commonly found.

If you want to go for rare, try to find one of the 67 Model 20 stamped 38 special's made. That is getting rare!
 
OUCH! Cruel, just cruel. I was thinking of that one or the one that was a pre-model number. Tamara told me that BOTH were sold while I was thinking. The pics are great. My M28 is lonely. I guess I should tell Jonathan to put it on the CC and NOT think it over next time. I am glad that both revolvers found good homes.
 
There's still a nice Model 10 3" heavy barrel at the shop, too. If I didn't have one already, I'd have picked that one up in a flash...three-inch M10s are exceedingly hard to come by. I like mine so much that it's been my primary carry gun ever since I bought it.
 
Just out of curiosity...

Would you happen to know how much they're asking for that 3" heavy-barrel Model 10?

(or are you referring to Coal Creek Armory, in which case I should simply call and ask?)
 
I bought several revolvers this year. I did find some nice ones at CCA. I may have to make a choice between that M10 3" and the M38 I was told was in stock. I really am glad the big N frames went to good homes. I still want a S&W N framed M&P 44.
 
That 3" RB/HB 10-8 is a solid 95% gun. The only reason it's still in the showcase is that I already have one. :o

Oh, and while we're on the subject of .357 N-frame pr0n, here's my '64 S-prefix Model 27-2:

(It's the one in the middle...)

attachment.php
 
I have a 4" nickel finish S&W M-27, Pachmayr grips. The gun had an action
job, very smooth trigger pull. Don't forget the M-28, same gun with a plain
"service" finish.
 
Who knows. It is easier to keep part of the number concealed on guns that were not originally purchased by me. Lets face it, this gun was old when I was born. I am certainly not the first owner, and although I procured it from a reputable dealer, have lettered it, shown a lot of pictures of it, what good can showing all of the details bring me?

I guess just a bit of Clinton induced paranoia.
 
All you guys are very fortunate to own such fine examples of a true Smith Classic! I hope to one day own a 27. The N-Frame 357 - THE ORIGINAL! I bid on a few over at gunbroker but was always outbid. Maybe I will be lucky enough to one day "stumble" into one of those great deals I always hear about!
 
i came across my pet s&w model 27-2 about 10 yrs ago... it was at a gun show and a friend of a friend had it there for sale.. i traded a model 13 and $100 for her.. which made it so i had about $250 in her... a 1968 vintage like new in box steal..... i made the deal and rushed out of there before the guy changed his mind or woke up or something.... she's a 6" patrige front sight classic..



LIFE IS SHORT......
 
my local shop has a 3'' model 10 that looks pretty good for $275. i have a little extra cash. is this a must buy? my current collection is a beretta 96 vertec, beretta 84 .380, s&w bodyguard, and s&w model 31 .32 long. i checked and the model 10 is still there. hurry with the advise as i am leaving town tommorrow for x-mas
 
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